In a significant blow to India, opener Pratika Rawal has been ruled out of the Women's ODI World Cup semi-final against Australia. Rawal, the tournament's second-highest run-getter, injured herself during Bangladesh's batting innings in India's final league-stage game and could also miss the final if India get there.
The injury occurred in the 21st over of the rain-hit game in Navi Mumbai, when Sharmin Akter swiped Deepti Sharma across the line. As Rawal ran towards her left from deep midwicket, her foot appeared to get stuck in the turf and her ankle twisted as she fell to the ground. While the ball went to the boundary, Rawal winced in pain and held her ankle. Though a stretcher was sent out for her, she got up with the physio's help and hobbled off. She did not bat later, with Amanjot Kaur opening alongside Smriti Mandhana. Amanjot scored an unbeaten 15 in India's 8.4 overs of batting before rain ended the contest.
Rawal, 25, has scored 308 runs in six innings during the tournament, averaging 51.33 at a strike-rate of 77.77. She made 75 against Australia in Visakhapatnam and then hit a match-winning 122 against New Zealand in Navi Mumbai. Against New Zealand, she also became the joint-fastest to 1000 runs in women's ODIs. Only Mandhana, her opening partner, has scored more runs than Rawal in this World Cup.
Rawal has also been involved in two of the top five batting partnerships of the tournament - 212 against New Zealand and 155 against Australia, both with Mandhana.
Apart from Amanjot, Harleen Deol is another potential opener to line up alongside Mandhana in the semi-final. Uma Chetry can also be an opener; she opened the batting in the World Cup warm-up game against New Zealand and also in three T20Is previously. Jemimah Rodrigues has opened in ODI cricket previously too.
There is no information yet on whether Rawal is ruled out of the final too, should India get there, or whether any replacements are being considered. Tejal Hasabnis is the only batter among their reserves. The semi-final against Australia on October 30 will be played in Navi Mumbai.